Fusarium resistance in Gladiolus: Selection in seedling populations

A test to select Fusarium resistant seedlings of Gladiolus is described. Seedlings of 37 populations, obtained from an incomplete diallel between eight parents with different levels of Fusarium resistance, were used. Significant differences in Fusarium infection between and within populations were detected. Most of the descendants selected had a resistant G. dalenii genotype as one of the parents. The resistance level of the parents was associated with the general combining ability for Fusarium resistance based on the seedling test. Implications for resistance breeding are discussed.